Bihar Assembly Elections: CPI M PB Alleges Manipulation, Urges Electoral Scrutiny

New Delhi: The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said the recent political developments in the country reflected deepening attacks on democratic institutions, rising authoritarianism, and intensifying economic distress, as it released its communique following a two-day meeting held in New Delhi on November 13–14.

Reviewing the Bihar Assembly election results, the PB said the unusually high turnout, including a record 71.6 percent participation by women, underlined a strong desire for change that was ultimately undermined by what it described as large-scale manipulation by the ruling NDA. It alleged that the NDA utilised state machinery, heavy inflows of money, and cadres mobilised from outside the state, alongside “divisive communal and casteist rhetoric” by top BJP leaders. The PB said the CPI M would examine the role of the Election Commission of India, the processes undertaken during the Special Intensive Revision, and other factors that may have influenced the results. It thanked voters who supported opposition candidates.

On the bomb blast in Delhi, the PB accused the government of failing to prevent terrorist attacks despite claiming success through Operation Sindoor following the Phalagam incident. It said the attribution of the latest attack to Jaish-e-Mohammed contradicted earlier assurances that the organisation’s infrastructure had been demolished. The PB warned against attempts to use the attack to polarise society.

The PB hailed what it called the historic eradication of extreme poverty in Kerala, after the Left Democratic Front government announced that all 64,006 identified households had been lifted out of extreme deprivation through a four- year data- driven initiative. It said the achievement stood out because it was implemented despite what it termed a prolonged fiscal squeeze by the Union government. The PB appealed to Kerala voters to ensure a decisive victory for LDF candidates in the upcoming local body elections.

The PB strongly criticised the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, warning that it would accelerate privatisation, trigger tariff hikes for domestic and farm consumers, and undermine state discoms. It described the proposed changes as an assault on federalism and said the party would mobilise public opinion in support of trade unions and farmers opposing the Bill.

On labour policy, the party said the draft Shram Shakti Niti 2025 sought to dismantle worker protections and impose a corporat e-friendly labour architecture while citing regressive ideological sources. It accused the Centre of coercing states with financial incentives to enforce new labour codes.

The PB termed the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across twelve states a politically motivated exercise aimed at disenfranchising millions. It alleged that the process functioned as a backdoor National Register of Citizens by imposing stringent documentation demands and using an outdated baseline year.

The communique highlighted rising attacks on women, Dalits and Adivasis, particularly in BJP- ruled states, and linked the trend to what it described as the RSS’s Manuwadi ideology.

It criticised the RSS centenary events for promoting divisive ideas and denigrating Kerala, and said the organisation was increasingly using state power to advance its vision of a Hindu Rashtra.

On the economy, the PB said recent data revealed deepening unemployment and wage stagnation, while India’s exports had sharply declined following US tariffs. It accused the government of pursuing free trade agreements and foreign capital inflows instead of addressing structural problems.

The PB said India was coming under US pressure in trade negotiations and defence cooperation. It warned that the 10-year US-India defence framework compromised India’s strategic autonomy by aligning it with American geopolitical objectives, particularly against China.

It condemned US preparations for a military offensive in Venezuela and expressed solidarity with Latin American governments resisting US actions.

Welcoming the ceasefire in Gaza, the PB urged the Indian government to reorient its policy, cut defence ties with Israel, and stand with Palestine.

The PB announced that the next Central Committee meeting will be held from January 16–18, 2026, in Thiruvananthapuram.